Sport

Belfast boxer Steven Ward signs pro contract

W<span style=" font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">ard (blue) in action against England's Simon Vallily at 2010 Commonwealth Games</span>
Ward (blue) in action against England's Simon Vallily at 2010 Commonwealth Games Ward (blue) in action against England's Simon Vallily at 2010 Commonwealth Games
By Carl Toner

Belfast boxer Steven Ward turns pro, signing with team MGM Marbella.

The heavyweight will join the MGM stable alongside fellow-Belfast boxers Jamie Conlan and Marc McCullough, under the eye of expert coaches including former Irish, British and twice European middleweight champion, Matthew Macklin.

To date, Ward has competed at two Commonwealth Games, winning a silver medal in 2010 at Talktora Stadium, Delhi, India. He competed again at the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. He has also won three Ulster Championships and is a five-time Irish senior champion.

MGM Marbella took to Instagram to announce his signature, stating they were “delighted” to register him as a professional boxer.

 

MGM are delighted to announce the signing of Belfast's Steven Ward. Steven's amateur accomplishments include x3 Ulster titles, x5 Irish titles and a Commonwealth Games Silver Medal. Steven competed at the 91kg Heavyweight limit as an amateur - and will be campaigning at Light-Heavyweight as a professional. Steven commented that: "I'm excited to be joining such a successful management team and I am looking forward to the road ahead and where they can take me, which I am confident will be a successful one. I fell out of love with the amateur sport after being in it for 13 years - and turning pro is something I always wanted to do. It's something that I think will suit my style as I have a good engine. I feel that coming down to Light-Heavyweight will suit me as it's a weight which I feel great at and have always preferred boxing at". MGM's Sam Kynoch commented: "Steven's amateur record speaks volumes as to the talent he has - and I think this will translate well into the professional ranks. Steven will debut after summer and I look forward to the journey ahead with another top Belfast boxer". #TeamMGM #proboxing #boxing #newsigning #mgmglobal #samkynoch #belfast #belfastboxer #stevenward #lightheavyweight #mgmgym #mgmmarbella #mgmboxing #welcome

A photo posted by Macklin's Gym Marbella (@mgm.marbella) on

The Commonwealth silver medallist tweeted to show his excitement to be working with MGM.